THE GRAMMAR THE GRAMMAR TRANSLATION METHODTRANSLATION METHOD

Diane Larsen-Freeman

According to Prator and Celce-Murcia (1979:3), the key features of the Grammar Translation Method are as follows:

(1) Classes are taught in the mother tongue, with little active use of the target language.

(2) Much vocabulary is taught in the form of lists of isolated words.

(3) (3) Long elaborate explanations of the Long elaborate explanations of the intricacies of grammar are given. intricacies of grammar are given.

(4) Grammar provides the rules for (4) Grammar provides the rules for putting words together, and putting words together, and instruction often focuses on the form instruction often focuses on the form and inflection of words. and inflection of words.

(5) Reading of difficult classical texts is (5) Reading of difficult classical texts is begun early. begun early.

(6) Little attention is paid to the (6) Little attention is paid to the content of texts, which are treated as content of texts, which are treated as exercises in grammatical analysis.exercises in grammatical analysis.

(7) Often the only drills are exercises (7) Often the only drills are exercises in translating disconnected sentences in translating disconnected sentences from the target language into the from the target language into the mother tongue. mother tongue.

(8) Little or no attention is given to (8) Little or no attention is given to pronunciation. pronunciation.

Diane Larsen-Freeman, in her Diane Larsen-Freeman, in her book book Techniques and Principles in Techniques and Principles in Language TeachingLanguage Teaching (2000:19-21) (2000:19-21) provides expanded descriptions of provides expanded descriptions of some common/typical techniques some common/typical techniques closely associated with the closely associated with the Grammar Translation Method. The Grammar Translation Method. The listing here is in summary form listing here is in summary form only. only.

((1) Translation of a Literary 1) Translation of a Literary Passage (Translating target Passage (Translating target language to native language) language to native language)

(2) Reading Comprehension (2) Reading Comprehension Questions (Finding information in Questions (Finding information in a passage, making inferences and a passage, making inferences and relating to personal experience) relating to personal experience)

(3) Antonyms/Synonyms (Finding (3) Antonyms/Synonyms (Finding antonyms and synonyms for antonyms and synonyms for words or sets of words) words or sets of words)

(4) Cognates (Learning (4) Cognates (Learning spelling/sound patterns that spelling/sound patterns that correspond between L1 and the correspond between L1 and the target language) target language)

(5) Deductive Application of Rule (5) Deductive Application of Rule (Understanding grammar rules (Understanding grammar rules and their exceptions, then and their exceptions, then applying them to new examples) applying them to new examples)

(6) Fill-in-the-blanks (Filling in (6) Fill-in-the-blanks (Filling in gaps in sentences with new words gaps in sentences with new words or items of a particular grammar or items of a particular grammar type) type)

(7) Memorization (Memorizing (7) Memorization (Memorizing vocabulary lists, grammatical rules vocabulary lists, grammatical rules and grammatical paradigms) and grammatical paradigms)

(8) Use Words in Sentences (Students (8) Use Words in Sentences (Students create sentences to illustrate they create sentences to illustrate they know the meaning and use of new know the meaning and use of new words) words)

(9) Composition (Students write about (9) Composition (Students write about a topic using the target language) a topic using the target language)

Which is the goal of this Which is the goal of this method?method?

*Real goal of Learning L2 is to be able to read literature*To read literature, students need to learn grammar rules and vocabulary*Studying a foreign language provides good mental exercise

What is the teacher’s role in GTM?What is the teacher’s role in GTM?

•Authority

•Teacher’s lectures (teacher centered)

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE STUDENTS IN GTM?STUDENTS IN GTM?

How does the teacher deal with How does the teacher deal with students’ feelings?students’ feelings?

This method does not pay attention to students’ feelings or emotions while learning a second language

View of Language View of Language *Literary language is superior to spoken language*Literary language is superior to spoken language

View of Culture View of Culture *Limited to literature & fine arts of L2*Limited to literature & fine arts of L2

Emphasis on areas of languageEmphasis on areas of language*Vocabulary and grammar(teaching the form) = *Vocabulary and grammar(teaching the form) = form basedform based

Emphasis on language skillsEmphasis on language skills*Reading and writing*Reading and writing*Little attention to listening, pronunciation and *Little attention to listening, pronunciation and speakingspeaking

What’s the Role of L1?*Classroom language is L1*Meaning of L2 is made clear by translation into L1

Evaluation *Written tests ( students translate from L1 to L2, L2 to L1)*Questions about L2 and applying grammar rules

Teacher’s response to Students' errors *Incorrect answers are corrected by the teacher  immediately*It is important that students get the correct answers.

Techniques Techniques

*Translation of a literary passage from L1-L2 or *Translation of a literary passage from L1-L2 or L2-L1L2-L1

*Reading comprehension questions *Reading comprehension questions *İnformation questions*İnformation questions

*Comprehension questions (making *Comprehension questions (making inferences)about their own experienceinferences)about their own experience

*Cognates memorization (meaning-spelling)*Cognates memorization (meaning-spelling)

*Antonyms-synonyms (words are from L1)*Antonyms-synonyms (words are from L1)

*Grammar rules are given with examples*Grammar rules are given with examples   -Exceptions stated directly   -Exceptions stated directly   - Students use grammar rules in       - Students use grammar rules in       - examples   - examples   - memorization (vocabulary, grammar    - memorization (vocabulary, grammar

rules)rules)

*They use the new words in sentences to *They use the new words in sentences to show they understand their meaning.show they understand their meaning.

*Writing compositions in the target *Writing compositions in the target language about a given topic.language about a given topic.